ValueOptions® Receives URAC Health Utilization Management Reaccreditation for Eight Service Center Locations

NORFOLK, Va., April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ValueOptions® announced today that URAC re-awarded Health Utilization Management 7.0 Accreditation (HUM) to eight of its service centers. URAC is a D.C.-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. ValueOptions has maintained URAC accreditation since 1999.

"Our focus on quality is a chief priority in every aspect of our operations at ValueOptions," states Deborah Hirschfelder, Vice President of Quality Management, "It's an honor to achieve accreditation again and validates our diligence and oversight of every aspect of our business. We maintain high standards in order to best serve our members and do so through meticulous documentation, training, reviews and other protective activities."

ValueOptions' re-awarded locations¹are:

• ValueOptions California Service Center
• ValueOptions Colorado Service Center
• ValueOptions Great Lakes Service Center
• ValueOptions New York City Service Center
• ValueOptions North Carolina Commercial Service Center
• ValueOptions Tampa Service Center
• ValueOptions Texas Commercial Service Center
• ValueOptions Texas Public Sector Service Center

URAC is the leader in Health Utilization Management Accreditation (HUM). Since creating the first standards twenty years ago, URAC set the bar for health utilization review. Recognized for meeting filing requirements with the State Departments of Insurance, URAC's HUM Accreditation continues to transform the industry with each new revision of the standards. HUM Standards ensure that all types of organizations conducting utilization review follow a process that is clinically sound and respect patients' and providers' rights while giving payers reasonable guidelines to follow. Standards address the use of evidence-based guidelines, incorporation of adherence guidelines, and evaluation of utilization rates to meet the demands of a changing health care system. Cost effective care with optimal outcomes reinforces the value and importance of health utilization management across the health care continuum including health plans, hospitals, specialty care for mental health, and long term care.

"ValueOptions should be commended for meeting strict quality standards," said William Vandervennet, URAC Chief Operating Officer. "It is critically important for health care organizations to make a commitment to quality and accountability. URAC accreditation is a demonstration of that commitment."

About ValueOptions

ValueOptions is a health improvement company that serves more than 32 million individuals. On behalf of employers, health plans and government agencies, we manage innovative programs and solutions that directly address the challenges our health care system faces today. A national leader in the fields of mental and emotional wellbeing, recovery and resilience, employee assistance, and wellness, ValueOptions helps people make the difficult life changes needed to be healthier and more productive. With offices nationwide and a network of more than 130,000 provider locations, ValueOptions helps people take important steps in the right direction. We help them live their lives to the fullest potential. Visit www.valueoptions.com for more information.

About URAC

URAC is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes health care quality through its accreditation, education and measurement programs. The URAC Health Web Site Accreditation program outlines a framework of best practices that address the operational policies and procedures necessary for quality online operations, and ensures the quality of health care information for consumers. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in establishing meaningful quality measures for the entire health care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.

¹Books of Business Excluded: EAP and Work Place Services-only accounts, NC State Health Plan, FootHill Behavioral Health Partners, Northeast Behavioral Health Partnership, Integrated Community Health Partners, California Counties, LIBHO (NYS Medicaid Demo Program).

SOURCE ValueOptions